Waiting on Wednesday: Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer

 "Waiting On" Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that everyone's excited about (created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.)

WoW: Viva Jacquelina! Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber, Over the Hills and Far Away (Book 10! of Bloody Jack) by L.A. Meyer

Scheduled to be released: October, 2012

Why I'm waiting: 

Jacky Faber is like the cute puppy you never want to grow up because you can't get enough! I always enjoy her adventures. L.A. Meyer is a truly gifted writer. His love of everything pirates, sea and ships is so evident you are sure to suddenly have aspirations of "I want to be a pirate (or Jacky Faber) when I grow up!"

I didn't realize how far behind I was in the series until I checked today. Guess what?!? Come October I'm splurging and buying all the books I haven't yet, including this one! (Perhaps I won't wait that long to buy them all.) 

Book Synopsis: 

No synopsis available at this time.

Checkout L.A. Meyer's website for updates and more swashbuckling fun!

Be sure to add Viva Jacquelina! to your Goodreads!

(Is it just me or are there a lot of exclamations in this post?!?)

Tattoo Tuesdays: Staring Right At Me

Last week I did a fair job of putting my readers in a virtual corner because the internet lacked inked inspiration. Now I have to make *amends (before you smile in triumphant . . . only a little) because this morning I woke up wondering what will I feature for today's tattoo. I had to think about the post earlier in the day as shop day is not my privilege this week . . . something about being a responsible adult and working at my other job. (Insert smile)

Long before I began writing Tattoo Tuesdays I was a tattoo admirer, albeit from a distance. However, more and more I find myself itching to ask random strangers the history behind their skin art and even getting so bold as to ask for a picture. I haven't done it yet, but I getting there.

If it was a snake it would have bit me! *Today's tattoo has hung on the wall in my room for awhile and was in my collage box before gracing the wall collage. In 2008 a magazine did a feature article about up and coming Olympians. I say 'a magazine' rather than the name of the magazine because for the life of me I can't remember what magazine it was; the internet was no help either in tracking it down. Natasha Kai was one of the featured Olympians. Immediately I was drawn to this female soccer athlete because of her tattoos and I knew I had to cut the picture out; eventually using it someday in a collage. Hawaiian art has a very Celtic flavor to me and perhaps that is why I'm so drawn to her tattoos.

 

The picture above isn't as great of detail as I would like to feature here, but well if you google her you may see other . . . nice pictures. I even tried finding a clearer version of the picture featured on my collage, but no such luck.

According to this article: “The only soccer-related tattoo I have is on my back,” Kai said. “It’s God’s hands holding with the word believe in Chinese. That’s the word we used in the Olympics. If we believe in each other, then great things will come and we won.” 

That's okay we still know you are an awesome soccer player and one to be jealous of, not only your tattoos, but your mad skills as well. Natasha was also featured on an episode of L.A. Ink; which I didn't know and now need to find a copy to watch.

Quote of the Day:

Lawe i ka ma'alea a ku'ono'ono.

Translation: Acquire skill and make it deep.

Explanation: If you want to become really good at anything, you've got to study hard and practice long until it gets deep and becomes a part of you.

Mundane Mondays: Review, Suggest, Brag . . . Repeat

The Review                                            

Does anyone know where to purchase a Lumatere GPS? Price is no object . . . okay so it is because I'm not wealthy. I like to pretend, but there can be no pretending when I say "Vacation Lumatere anyone?!?"
Nearly ten years ago Lumatere and her people were visited by massacre, a bastard usurper, and a curse. Many were forced to roam outside her beloved walls to face yet more horrors. Finnikin of the Rock was a mere boy then and witness to it all. He must now find a way to hope and trust that the people of Lumatere, his people, can be brought back to the sanctity of her walls by a young novice, Evanjalin. Where will the mysterious Evanjalin lead him and how far must his faith in her be stretched?

Among the other teams I'm on, (not to worry they are few so I have plenty of time for you Finnikin) I am now on Team Finnikin. It is not often I enjoy a narrative from a male perspective when reading. Finnikin is so easy to get along with, I didn't notice. A passionate, compassionate, stubborn, strong young man, it was clear I would fall for him.

My initial reaction, when picking up the book at the local library, was awesome cover and "Oh! Look Freddy* this book is endorsed by Kristin Cashore!" Listen folks, I know we can't base taste on someone else's opinion. However, I stand up and pay attention when particular authors let their name be put in print saying thus and so** about a book they have enjoyed. I will say Melina Marchetta's writing earned it and now is beyond need of any more convincing in my book.

I laughed, I cried, they came, they saw, they conquered. . . Veni, Vidi, Vici! Seriously, though, the book did all that and in the midst of reading I was already convinced "I will read more of Melina Marchetta's books." I even bought Finnikin of the Rock and the sequel, Froi of the Exiles, before finishing.

Sometimes with stories that have multiple characters it is hard to become attached, understand each one and know their history. I feel I know these characters so well and want them to stick with me for a long time. They could invite me to live among the pages with them . . . hello? It is even trickier for an author to create a new world and landscape, but Melina does it so well. I was sitting on the edge of my seat up until the end, so ready to toss it at the wall in despair at it being over. Not to worry friends, Lumatere isn't over yet!

*Freddy is my sister and while she is co-owner of our bookstore, she somehow finds it okay to work at our local library. Where . . . she occasionally convinces me, rather cunningly, to check out books.

**Similar experience: I never (possibly) would have picked up I Capture the Castle without seeing J.K. Rowling's endorsement of it years ago. Now Dodie Smith's novel is among my top 10 favorite books of all time.


To Suggest...                                           

Not the greatest cover, but ignore that...this time.

I'm notorious among my friends for reading anything. They frequently toss a book my way and say, "Hey can you read this and tell me if it is good, if has sex, if it is violent . . . etc." This can be a real test for me mentally at times and only because I'm not fully convinced it is good or right for me to read all this--well rubbish comes to mind, but I'm not sure that is a fitting term. (Insert Smile)

The other evening, while hanging with Anna, she asked me to read a book and do some 'investigating' for her. To the Princess Bound by Sara King is only available as an eBook and while I am loath to read eBooks for various reasons, I did it. Sara King has spent several years attempting to get her books published in, as a friend calls them, 'dead tree' format. Rather than giving up she decided why not publish them as eBooks. I think moving forward we are going to see more and more of this attitude. While it saddens me, it also is exciting to see someone get their books out there. Now having read her book, I'm so happy she decided on this route because I may never have had the opportunity to read her work.

Synopsis (from Amazon):

Sometimes, Life leads us where we need to go…

Six years ago, Victory’s mind and body were brutally shattered by those she trusted. The betrayal has left her with a closed and tortured heart and an innate fear of the men around her. Her father, a cold, compassionless emperor who rules Victory’s life the same way he has ruled Mercy, has an inhuman solution: Chain her to a massive native man from the war-torn planet that kidnapped her to prove to her there’s nothing to fear. Yet when the huge and gentle native shows himself to be something more than anyone expects, will Victory open her heart and allow this handsome and powerful healer to help her flower, or will she turn him over to the Imperium that hunts him?

Bound to an Imperial princess, their bodies lashed together by a cruel decree, Dragomir is tired of helplessly watching Victory’s past overtake her. He has the power to fix her, and if she doesn’t like it, she can kill him after he is finished. He is a healer—he will mend her broken spirit, or die trying. Yet, in healing her, he must reveal his secret to her, and in doing so, Dragomir must also trust her with his life, for those with his special talents are feared and hunted by the Imperium. What Dragomir doesn’t foresee at the outset is his own passion: She’s his soul-mate, their lives entwined throughout the ages, and her mere presence sparks a fire within him that he’s tried for years to ignore. He finds himself fighting his body’s deepest urges every time he looks upon her graceful form, struggling for the control she needs of him, warring with inner desires and an ancient need that could make her abandon him forever…

This is the first book I have ever read in its entirety on my Kindle Fire. I have other eBooks, but I couldn't put my Kindle down. I had to know what was going to happen next. Sara King is great with detail and background of her characters. As the opening line of the synopsis says, "Sometimes, Life leads us where we need to go," and that is so true for each of these characters. Dragomir's spirit of compassion and humbleness tugged at my heart and his overall patience with Victory was amazing and at times a little maddening. Victory is spoiled, but that is how she is supposed to be for the story to progress and Sara did a wonderful job.

I knew very little about the story going into it and didn't know there would be a rape (rather several) involved. I knew it was a romance novel of sorts and once I found out about the rape, I was a little put out. I thought how in the world is this going to convincingly turn into a romance when the main female character has been raped. How will she recover in some 300 pages and be able to 'fall in love' with Dragomir? No worries, Sara King handles that and the details with tact and twists and turns that will lay your raised eyebrows at ease.

Quickly because this is getting long and I need to go home . . . the story is phenomenal and I can't wait for Sara to write more about the world of Mercy. The rape wasn't so vividly described as to force me to put the book down and walk away to prepare myself; she handle it with care. The sex . . . well . . . ummm yeah. It was there. Do I have to go into more detail than that? It was probably one of the most steamy sex scenes I have ever read and I'm having to block it from my mind (trying) for (clearing throat). . . ok moving on.

Yep I'm going to BRAG                       
                  
I was in Chicago this past weekend. I went to Powell's Bookstore. I only got to shop for 30 minutes. I have to go back! And here is what I got:

Books:

A Splendor of Letters by Nicholas A. Basbanes

Bookworms edited by Laura Furman & Elinore Standard

The Notebooks of Malte Laurids Brigge by Rainer Maria Rilke

In other bragging news: I am one book away from owning 1,500 books! I wish I could say the same for a dwindling to be read pile (insert blush).

Happy Memorial Day!

Add Finnikin of the Rock to your Goodreads

Add To the Princess Bound to your Goodreads

Or Add All the Books from this post to your Goodreads!

Waiting on Wednesday: Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta

 "Waiting On" Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that everyone's excited about (created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.)

WoW: 

Quintana of Charyn (Book 3 of the Lumatere Chronicles) by Melina Marchetta

Scheduled to be released:

September 26, 2012

Why I'm waiting: 
There is something to be said for an author who has you so convinced that their books are awesome that you are willing to say you can't wait for book 3...having not read book 2 yet. I'm nearly finished with Finnikin of the Rock (Book 1) and it just goes to show you, never underestimate your public library's ability to finally get something read worthy. I even ordered Finnikin of the Rock and (book 2) Froi of the Exiles (due to arrive today!) having not finished Finnikin. Are you convinced yet you should read these books? No?!? Don't worry I'm hopeful to post a review for Finnikin when I'm finished. Ahhh I can't wait!

Book Synopsis:  
I definitely can't read this one (synopsis I mean)! However, the only thing posted on Goodreads is:

The third book in the world of Lumatere. Set three weeks after the ending of Froi of the Exiles.

Oh very helpful...

Checkout the author's website, though, because I think her blog post here talks more about book three.


Did I already say I can't wait?!?

Tattoo Tuesdays: Speak with something more...

Okay internet and internet people I am very disappointed in you today. What?!? You couldn't go get some new cool tattoos for me to blog about and instead left me with all the old stuff?!? After searching and searching for a snowboarding tattoo and then a surfing tattoo, neither of which I found, I was forced to search again at random for an interesting tattoo. Sad thing is nothing is dangling like sweet fruit for me to devour today.

However. . . I did find this fake tattoo on Flickr, which would make an awesome tattoo.

Body Language by Boy_Wonder

I'm posting the tattoo, fake though it may be, because it would make in awesome tattoo. Also because my best friend Anna is an ASL major (correct me Anna, if that is the wrong term). I would let you fend for yourselves with interpreting the letters, but I will be nice today. 'S' 'T' 'A' 'Y'  'T' 'R' 'U' 'E'


For you the tattooed and tattoo admirers, if you have tattoos you would like me to feature let me know. I especially would to feature wicked snowboarding/surfing tattoos next week if possible.

Mundane Mondays: Dance A Little Jig and Scream A Little Scream

Those who know me know I can dance to a song no one else can hear. Music is at times playing in my head causing me to dance little jigs of bliss because music has that effect on me. No, contrary to your first impressions of that statement, I’m not insane for hearing music no one else can hear. Though, I could be termed crazy for other reasons.

While I love talking about books, I always enjoy changing things up a bit and talking about music. Of course I can’t help bragging by telling of a recent ‘musical’ experience. Thus there is another reason for talking about music in a Mundane Mondays post.

G (my friend Anna’s brother): Maddie! I’ve met the male you.

I could have taken this many ways, but my interest was spiked.

Me: Oh? How so?

G: He is to me what you are to Anna, in terms of music suggestions.

Me: Oh? How old is this male me? Is he hot?

G: He is my age. His name is Neal. (Notice no answer was given as to his level of hotness.)

While I don’t mind younger men, there is something to be said when G, who is my youngest brother’s age, is telling me about a guy. My interest wanes of course because I’m not likely to become a cougar, even when music is hanging in the balance. I was extremely awed by G’s compliment and humbled that he thought so much of me to make such a comment.

Brag session over, I now have music recommendations to share!



The Head and The Heart - Rivers & Roads: I can't remember how I found them, but I can't get enough of their folksie sound. I especially enjoy their live sessions at The Doe Bay Sessions. Would anyone like to buy me a ticket to the next session? :)



Dr. Dog - Heart It Races: Pandora! If you had stepped into the shop Saturday you would have seen me dancing quite unabashedly to this song. I originally heard Architecture in Helsinki's version sometime ago, but I think I like this version better. You are dancing, aren't you?!?



Annaliese - Rusty: Do I watch Jane by Design? Yes, I'm guilty as charged.



Arkells - Book Club: PureVolume, thank you! What could be better than music about books? Oh yes and a song with my name in it!



You Me At Six - Save It For The Bedroom: Maybe I shouldn't like this song, but I do and the acoustic version is my favorite. I quickly bought 2 of their CDs and am frequently finding that I like ALL of their music.



Glorious Rebellion - Don't Dip The Pen In Company Ink: PureVolume...again. Fellow Hoosiers and good music to boot. Have a listen!



Till the World Ends (Cover) - I See Stars: I don't like Britany Spears' music, with the exception of Hit Me Baby One Time and Lucky (for my own reasons). However, I absolutely can't get enough of this cover. It is especially fun to blast it in my car while driving in town. Plus this wouldn't be a music post by me without one screamo song.


Now I'm off to use my iTunes gift card that someone FINALLY got me for my birthday. Do yourselves a favor and buy some music too and show your support for these artists!

Waiting on Wednesday: Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver

 "Waiting On" Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that everyone's excited about (created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.)

WoW:

Sacrifice (Legacy #3) by Cayla Kluver

Scheduled to be released:

November 2012

Why I'm waiting:

I'm always hard press not to finish a series, unless the series causes me physical pain because I can't bare the thought of finishing it. Such is not the case with Cayla Kluver's Legacy Trilogy. I read Legacy a few years ago and have been waiting ever since for the follow up novels. When I was thinking about today's WoW, I thought "Hey, you haven't checked up on Cayla's writing lately." My surprise? Book 2, Allegiance, has been out since February of this year. Shame on me! I hear my paycheck talking to me. . . set aside some money, you are BUYING THIS BOOK! 

I'm glad to hear we will not have to wait as long for book 3 as we did for book 2. I'm not psyched about the cover art that Harlequin Teen is using (I prefer the original theme from the first publication of Legacy). However, hopefully I can move past my normal judging a book by its cover and enjoy what originally drew me to Cayla's book.

Book Synopsis:

There is not a book synopsis available yet, but check back at Cayla's blog for updates.

Tattoo Tuesdays: The bravest of all is Madeline...I'm not that Madeline

Growing up you can imagine the number of folks who would walk up to me upon discovering my name and see them try to resist the urge to pinch my cheeks. Why...because here I am in the flesh, Madeline. All I needed was the outfit and I would have been set. It gave relatives the excuse to shower me with any number of Madeline themed gifts: banks, puppets, hats, books, voodoo dolls....ok well maybe not. While my animated/book counterpart is a force to be reckoned with, fFrench, fearless, and perhaps feisty, I am not in fact named after her. Actually my name isn't even spelled the same.

My parents, ever the odd the sort (aka not going with the norm), gave us each unique names and that meant spelling them differently from anyone else. My name in fact is Madelyne (pronounced Mad-eh-lyne) not Madeline (pronouced Mad-eh-line or however the French accent it). I was named after Madeline Kahn...hilarious woman and at the time my parent's favorite actress.

Where is this going? Well, I was in search of a literary themed tattoo to feature today and thought who better to feature than my, would be (mistakenly), namesake Madeline; which led to some rather interesting ideas for a future tattoo for me. Ludwig Bemelmans' illustrations do lend themselves to some inking. Have I found my inspiration? If I was a sketcher, I would sketch out the design in my head that I got while searching for someone who had sent their Madeline tattoo out into the ether. However, as it is I think the tattoo I found, while cute, is a fake tattoo...nonetheless a tattoo for Tattoo Tuesdays. :)

Found via a site I'm now adding to my must follow list... Boys With Banjos.


In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines
Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines
In two straight lines they broke their bread
And brushed their teeth and went to bed.
They left the house at half past nine
In two straight lines in rain or shine-
The smallest one was Madeline.

 

Looking for Madeline online I found this wikiHow and thought it to be sound advice. I couldn't pass up the chance to share.

Mundane Mundays: Hungry Hungry Hippos...'Hungry' Games Anyone?

Thoughts about the Hunger Games...

The older I get the more I look around me and see the world I live in, that it is increasingly more desensitized to the daily ‘goings on’. I make no secret of the fact that I'm a Christian and that it alarms me this world's leaning towards sin and debauchery and that they don't care (or at least they don't seem to) that they are headed to hell in a hand basket. Far from claiming perfection, I know that temptation is alluring and so the temptation to not care is even more enticing.

I've been asked, pointed at and looked at with horror by some, that I have read and liked the Hunger Games trilogy. However, those who know me know I make no secret of what I read. If I started reading everything from an analytic perspective, rather than for entertainment I would not be the bibliophile I am. Reading takes discernment and a levelheadedness that means what I'm reading is FICTION. I have never been a reader that examines the text for its true meaning or to understand how it makes me feel. No, I run screaming from those types.

That being said I wanted to write my thoughts about the Hunger Games for all the haters out there, I see your horrified faces. “They sacrifice children!”

I tried to find the date (as I keep track of all the books/dates finished, etc. I read) I first read The Hunger Games, but couldn’t pinpoint it exactly. Suzanne Collins was not unknown to me and long before I had money of my own or book buying mad skills, I relied on my mum to order her books when they came out. I have been reading her books since Elementary/Middle School. Gregor the Overlander rocks! I can’t even remember my initial reaction to the book. Only that my typical behavior for authors I enjoy is to devour everything they have written and to constantly check online sources for whispers or rumors of MORE!

The question I am asked most often about the books is, “Maddie, did you like the books? Did you like reading them?” Well folks if I didn’t like them, it is unlikely I would rush to own them one after another, see the midnight showing, buy an awesome Hunger Games t-shirt from TeeFury, contemplate a Hunger Games themed quilt and name my first born child after the heroine. Okay so the last one is an exaggeration, but yes seriously I did/do like the books. I think the question is asked of me because no one, at least these folks, can imagine honestly admitting to finding enjoyment and entertainment in a book where the main plot focuses on children killing each other. Lest we forget CHILDREN of this world, yes the one we live in right now, plop themselves down in front of glowing screens for hours on end, aim a controller and blast humans with ‘imaginary’ guns. The only benefit being a high score and the satisfaction that your kills far outnumber those of your friends. But no let’s be worried about a book that demonstrates the lengths someone will go to protect those they love by sacrificing themselves.

At the risk of convoluting the point I’m trying to make with this post, I will try to finish up with a few bullet points.

-    I have said it several times in the last few weeks; you can NEVER know how you would react in a similar situation. You can say “Oh I would never kill someone to save myself.” I give this example, though; if a gun was pointed at my head and the shooter asked me, “Are you a Christian?” and expected an answer where yes meant death and  a no meant life. . . I would love to tell you I would have the strength to say yes, but I can’t know. You can’t know, unless you’re psychic and let’s face it that’s fantasy not dystopian.

-    If you have to ask me are the books too violent for Suzie Joe, chances are yes. Better to be safe than sorry. The books and the movie are not for everyone and I’m not going to tell you otherwise. My siblings and I for a long time ‘protected’ our mum from the books because we know she doesn’t always handle violence well. However, now she and I are reading them aloud together.

-    Will I allow my children to read the books? I don’t believe in censorship, it is a taste I can’t bring myself to try no matter how ‘bad’ the book is. I read every book with this question in my head and must examine the book for everything it brings to light. The good, the bad, and the questions I will have to answer, especially the awkward questions and the lessons to be learned by reading the books. If after finishing a book I can’t imagine my children reading the book then I will not allow it to be on my shelf. They will need to decide at a certain point, once I’ve taught them everything I can, what is right to fill their minds with and what is not. My parents have done the same and I can’t expect anything less of my own someday. But yes if I know my children, like I hope to know them, I will be able to see that they can handle the books and they will be allowed to read the Hunger Games series

-    Don’t judge, but yet I do. If I look at you based on conversations we have had or just a sense I get from some, that you are not the type to ‘enjoy’ the Hunger Games than chances are I will not recommend the books. Customers frequently walk into the shop, ask for recommendations and on the spot I have to put my ‘powers’ to work accessing whether this person is too conservative for the content, etc. I must, for my own peace of mind, maintain a clear conscious. It is the same for Harry Potter series, I never (even with people I know) thrust the books at them and say YOU MUST READ THESE and simply because I don’t need any more drama in my life.

I don’t need the people on the other side of the fence (the ones saying how evil the Hunger Games are) thinking I’m becoming complacent and desensitized, so let me point this out again if you haven’t caught on yet. I read for PLEASURE. The only time I read to expand my mind, opinions, etc. is when reading non-fiction or a work of fiction that I set out to read knowing it will teach me something. Aside from the basic, good is good, bad is bad, loyalty, friendship, family; Hunger Games is not an analytical thesis on our world today. Thank goodness because for as much as this world saddens me, I don’t need/want to live in a world like Panem.


(Coincidence? I started writing this post a few weeks ago and as life is busy, put it aside for later. The title about the board game Hungry Hungry Hippos just came to me because I played it all the time with my pup-pup (grandpa) when I was a kid. Today when looking for a Hungry Hungry Hippos graphic to go with the post I found someone else had the same idea about equating it with the Hunger Games. Great minds....)

Friends Don't Let Friends NOT READ (FFNR)

A trip to a bookstore can always be sure to spark new ideas. Last month my friend and I travelled to the city for a Joann Fabrics excursion and ended up at -- where else? -- a Barnes & Nobles. Now my friend, Anna, has a 'nasty' habit of policing my book buying. You can see it in her eyes, she is most definitely a bibliophile police officer. One would question her motives, is she protecting the numerous unread books on my shelves or is she protecting my pocket book?

While there we kept reaching for books and gushing "Oh this is such a great book, have you read it?" We were more than a little put out when the other would answer "No," and even a little annoyed when the other professed doubt that they would like the other's book suggestion. Solution! Time to create book lists (or torture lists insert laugh)! Thus enters 'Friends Don't Let Friends NOT READ (FFNR)...

As a side note, I have been meaning to write about this challenge for some time, but little brother will not draw the banner art to be posted at the top of FFNR posts that I commissioned from him. I've given up waiting on him and will insert art later.

Challenge: 25 books that we have each read and feel the other MUST read. (The list started at 10...then 15...and that wasn't enough for me so I begged Anna to let us increase the number to 25. Guess what?!? She's read more of her list thus far than I have read of mine.)

Deadline: August (Me: I'm hoping we have until the end of August.)

Exceptions: If we don't like one of the books on our list, we have one alternate title. I accidently texted my alternate title to Anna and don't remember what 'out' I offered her.

I enjoy commentary with whatever list I'm working with, be it music, books, etc. Here is my list for Anna à la commentary!

1. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters - Zombies! This was the first contact I ever had with zombies, in literacy format. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it...there are 2 books after this one, but I think the third is a standalone novel.

2. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith - Whenever someone asks for a recommendation while at the shop, I always hand them this book. Perhaps one of my favorites of all time...hey I've only lived 24 years so far! :)

3. Indiscretion by Jude Morgan - Hello! It is like a Jane Austen book only better....must read it.

4. Sorcery and Cecelia by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer - I used to describe this book to people by saying it is Harry Potter meets Jane Austen, but have come to realize that is not a very apt description. There are 2 books after this one. :)

5. The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty - Funny, Australia, and what more do I need to say?!? Elyza and I have both read this book. We laughed out loud and frequently, if not for huge to be read piles, think about reading it again.

6. Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman - My grandmother read this when it was first published in the 40s during her nurses training. She said all the women passed the book around in her dorm, until they had all read it. I can understand why too. So good!

7. Seven Tears into the Sea by Terri Farley - I give this as a gift at least once a year. One, because, nearly everyone I talk to about it, has not read it or heard about it. Two, it is a good story.

8. The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner - This might be a little slow, but it sets the stage for the next 3 books. They are all great!

9. Boston Jane: An Adventure by Jennifer L. Holm - Every girl should read these books (yes book 1 of a trilogy)!

10. A Long and Fatal Love Chase by Louisa M. Alcott - Alcott's version of gothic fiction...very good!

11. Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt - Hang with it...a Robinhood sort of story. There are more in this series (which I highly recommend), but they each can standalone.

12. First We Have Coffee by Margaret T. Jensen - Mum always says this is a book that every woman should read or own before she gets married. I agree! It is not just for marriage bound girls though, so don't think you are off the hook!

13. The Scottish Chiefs by Jane Porter - I know this book looks huge, but it is set in Scotland, it is a classic and it is about William Wallace.

14. Ascension by Kara Dalkey - Mermaids! ... don't hate me, but book 1 :)

15. The Magic Garden by Gene Stratton Porter - Everyone in Indiana should read at least one of her books; because she was born and raised here, plus she was a naturalist. This is a sweet story.

16. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - YOU WILL READ THIS! The books get better and better. I owe my love of the poet Rilke to these books.

17. The Green Rider by Kristen Britain - Again big book, but so worth it.

18. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows - WW2, letters, and a love for books...great story.

19. Legacy by Cayla Kluver - Fantasy story by a girl who published this when she was 15! It is good and I can't wait to read books 2 and 3 :). Are we seeing a trend here?

20. Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey - YOU MUST READ THIS!

21. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder - Isn't the title alluring enough?

22. The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke - There is no excuse for you having not read this book.

23. O'Henry Collection of Short Stories (Dover Edition) - I recommend a specific edition because he wrote so many short stories and that edition gives you a nice taste for his writings. He is one of my favorite authors.

24. Marcelo and the Real World by Francisco Stork - About an autistic teenage boy, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book.

25. Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer - Girl Pirate! Hello! I know there are several books in this series, but it is worth it.


That's my list. I will post my list from Anna in a follow up post. I want to offer this challenge to any book lover out there, no should be left out. If I get enough of a response, I will look into having a signup list, that way everyone can see who is participating, etc.

Let the reading begin!

Tattoo Tuesdays: Consider it pure joy...

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Today's tattoo reminded me of the scripture above from the Bible. Not very often do I take the time to look at the struggles in my life as things to learn from and/or grow from as a person. In fact I usual throw spritiual tantrums or real ones, depending on my surroundings (oh that's why my knees were so dirty the other day). Maybe if I would take the time to 'love' these periods in my life I might realize they are serving to grow me and bring me closer to my Lord. If He didn't love me, would he stop 'paying attention' to me and just let me have it easy?

You can choose to interpret this tattoo however you like. I tend to write what strikes me the moment I see something. The scripture came to mind mere seconds after seeing the tattoo. I'm strongly considering this tattoo now for that very reason...perhaps with a byline referencing the above scripture. Brillant font by the way, very 'typewriterish' meets 'Poe-ish'.

Thanks to Pinterest for today's Tattoo Tuesdays!